As a timely way to keep you informed, we offer the Jeffco Good News. Our goal is to provide you with a
snapshot of the many accomplishments that occur every week in your schools. Please feel free to share the
good news and as always, thank you for your support!
STUDENTS’ SHOE ART HAS SOLE
Wheat Ridge High School (WRHS) art students aren’t putting their works on paper, instead they’ve
chosen the canvas of shoes. The students’ creations have them competing as finalists in the 2013 Vans
Custom Culture competition. Custom Culture is a national high school shoe customization contest where
schools from all over the U.S. compete for a chance to win money for their art programs. The top five
contestants will fly to New York City for an exclusive final event. The grand prize winning school receives
$50,000 for its art program and the chance for the shoes to be produced and sold in Vans' retail stores.
Runners-up receive money for their school art programs. Voting ends at midnight on Monday, May 13.
Vote for WRHS.
POMONA SENIOR OVERCOMES ADVERSITY TO SUCCEED
Pomona High School senior Dominic Martinez has a story to tell and he has a clear vision of how it will
end — with success. Martinez is one of eight Jeffco students honored by The Jefferson Foundation’s 2013
My Student, My Hero event that recognizes high school seniors who embody leadership qualities in their
schools and communities. Martinez was nominated for the award by his teachers. In 2010, his mother
passed away from cancer and Martinez survived on the kindness of other Pomona families by rotating from
home to home. Always focused on his future, Martinez studies hard because he knows education is his
lifeline to a successful future. He plans on attending Colorado State University in the fall. Watch the
KATV 8 story.
SPECIAL STUDENT CROWNED KING
Jefferson High School students voted for their school’s prom king with their hearts. The student body
voted special needs student Phillip Thomas as their 2013 prom king. Thomas’s mom, Caryn Wittig
Thomas, was so touched by the kind gesture that she shared the story and his prom pictures from her
personal Facebook page with 7News. Thomas’s prom date complimented his black and pink tuxedo in a
matching dress. “Never did I expect it to get so much attention, well-deserved attention,” said Thomas’s
mom. “I still can't stop smiling and crying.” Read the 7News story.
JOB INTERVIEW COMPETITION SHARPENS STUDENTS’ SKILLS
Wheat Ridge High School's (WRHS) Career Exploration class helped host the 2013 SWAP Job Interview
Competition. SWAP, or School to Work Alliance Program, hosted nearly 70 Arvada, WRHS, Standley
Lake, Pomona and Ralston Valley high school students. They were interviewed and scored by local
business owners such as Home Depot, Target, Whole Foods, and Steamers Coffee Shops. Students learn
interviewing and communication skills at the event.
LESSONS IN THE MESSAGE
When Warren Tech video production teacher Jon White needed a project for the SKILLS USA contest, he
chose a real contest, sponsored by the Colorado State Library. Students had 48 hours to create a public
service announcement to encourage reading and literacy. Warren Tech’s team of Drew Hastings and
Denny Richardson won first place. Two other teams placed as runners up. “It’s important because they see
that what they’re doing right now in high school is marketable,” said White. “Today is not about the best
movie; today is actually about the best message and the best way to use what they know to impact future
generations. This happens to be about reading, so that’s cool.”
Watch the winning Warren Tech entry and find more photos on Jeffco's Facebook fan page.
Submissions of 80 words or less should include complete names, locations, dates and descriptions of
accomplishments. Due to the large number of submissions Communication Services reserves the right to
edit or place requests. To submit a story or unsubscribe to this weekly publication send an e-mail to
commsvcs@jeffco.k12.co.us. View the archive of past issues.